Description
It’s incredible to see that this huge, rich natural reserve is located only 30 minutes from Managua. Montibelli is a private reserve that measures more than 160 hectares. The reserve lies on Managua’s sierra and its altitude ranges from 360 to 720 meters above sea level. Most of the area is covered with tropical dry forest, and many different types of animals and plants inhabit the reserve.
What to expect
Montibelli has a very rich birdlife. Not only can you find woodpeckers, hummingbirds, parrots, vultures, hawks, golden orioles, and motmots (the national bird); the reserve is also inhabited by an impression population of trogons. These brightly colored birds are rare in Nicaragua and Montibelli is one of the very few places where they can be spotted easily.
Furthermore, you can encounter mammals, reptiles, and insects. There live opossums, bats, deer, howler monkeys, squirrels, snakes, frogs, lizards, and many other animals. During the raining season tons of butterflies flutter about. There are also some viewpoints from where you have a great view over the reserve and the rugged landscape around it.
The reserve has its own fruit and vegetable production. Pineapple, passion fruit, cactus fruit (Pitahaya), lemon, bananas, and other food is grown ecologically within the reserve. You can therefore get very fresh and uncontaminated juices and meals.
Montibelli also offers comfortable cabins, located within the reserve. For more information, see Eco-albergue Oropendola in our Hotel Guide.
The reserve has been set up well. There is a small tourist center at the entrance of the park, where you can get information on what you can see and where you can go. There are several paths to hike, taking between 30 minutes and 2 ½ hours. It is also easily possible to combine some paths and spend a whole day in Montibelli. Guides are provided by the reserve (you are obligated to walk with a guide), and they all have their specialty and will point out plants, animals, and other interesting things you would otherwise overlook.
Getting There
To get there in car you should, coming from Managua, take the highway to Masaya (carretera Masaya). When you leave Managua and the number of lanes decreases, you should turn right in the direction of Ticuantepe (there are signs). Now go straight for a couple kilometers and take a right at the first big road that you will encounter. Follow this road for a couple more minutes, and you will see the Montibelli sign to your right, at a dirt road. It is about 2.5 kilometers over this dirt road, and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. For easy reference: the dirt road starts at kilometer 19 of the Ticuantepe – La Concha Road.
You can also take a taxi or bus up to here, and hike or bike to the park. This can be dusty or muddy (depending on the season), tough, and exhausting, but it’s surely a nice way of getting there.
Comments
Veronica Callan wrote on Apr 8, 2008:
Don't miss this beautiful nature preserve. The hosts are passionate, friendly and well-informed. We stayed only one night, but I hope to return soon. We had two very young children with us, and they were safe and well-entertained. The accomodations are comfortable and clean, and the food is the best in Nicaragua. Take the optional birding hikes and the rapelling adventure! You will not be disappointed!
Stephen Paez wrote on Dec 11, 2007:
Spent 3 nights with 5 other people. The place is beautiful, near Managua and Chocoyero, and has excellent birding for tropical deciduous forest species. The place also has a few species more typical of the atlantic rain forest. The food served was excellent, as were the hosts (Claudia and Carlos Belli). When we asked for an impromtu evening tour, they were accomodating and we witnessed a gallery of evening mammals, snakes and frogs. The guides, required for all tours, are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Being woken up in the morning by a chorus of tropical birds was unforgettable. Definitely recommend this place, especially for birdwatchers (also great for butterflies). My friends all left very satisfied and we all want to come back.
Erika Vohman wrote on Aug 25, 2007:
Hola/Hello,
Im curious if you have Ojoche trees in your rainforest.
We have a program to rescue lost traditional knowledge about Ojoche seed for food and income, if you have this tree, we would like to train you and your staff to cook with the seed, which is more nutritious than soy!
We have published a cookbook with more than 40 recipes.
Vitsit our website if you want
www.TheEquilibriumFund.org
Dina wrote on Jul 30, 2007:
beautiful place, DELICIOUS food, good service and nice guide!.
thanks, we had a great time.
Dina and Mark